Teammates become opponents?

Following Friday’s world cup draw there is a chance that some of Pompey’s players could come face to face with each other in South Africa – assuming they are still Pompey players come June!

Aaron Mokoena’s South Africa are in group A with Mexico, Uruguay and France. This offers no potential clashes, unless Younes Kaboul can force his way into the French squad, which is unlikely I guess?

Group B sees Kanu and John Utaka’s Nigeria drawn with Argentina, South Korea and Greece – so, if Angelos Basinas can get back in that could be a teammate meeting. Although the former Greece captain is very much out of the picture and I doubt he will make it, let alone still be playing for us come the end of January, let alone next summer…

England’s group, group C, will see USA, Algeria and Slovenia do battle, which of course means – hopefully – David James verses Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda. That would be a feisty encounter and I can almost guarantee that Belhadj WILL get sent off at some point in the tournament, probably that game!

Originally labelled the ‘group of death’, group D, will hopefully have some Pompey interest with Kevin-Prince Boateng’s Ghana coming up against the country he represented at U21 level, Germany, along with Australia and Serbia.

Group E’s Holland, Japan, Cameroon and Denmark holds no interest for us, which also goes for group F as well with Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia doing battle.

The ‘group of death’ is group G. With Ivory Coast in this there is some interest for us as Aruna Dindane’s country battle with Brazil, North Korea and Portugal for a place in round 2.

Finally group H, with Spain, Honduras, Chile and Switzerland means there is no Pompey interest there.

So, there we have it, some interesting groups and some battles to be had between teammates, ‘if’ they remain at the club beyond the end of the January transfer window let alone the end of the season!

If they do, and stay into next season, then there are some bragging rights to be had perhaps?

Make sure that you keep up to date with the England goings on over on Vital England.